The week seems to have flown by since I last wrote. MASC took up all of Tuesday with a day of fun and games at sea. It did seem strange though as they ramed everything in to the first few hours after sailing. Then we were left stooging for about three hours whilst debriefs were conducted and we awaited the alloted time for returning to port.
As usual with MASC there were lots of pick up points that were identified by FOST staff. Reports were handed out with an expectation of the points being rectified prior to sailing for the sea week. As always though with FOST we then spent the next three days attending breifs and table tops that allowed us no time to rectify the pickups. Well after a lot of early mornings and very late nights we have managed to crack most things so I just hope all goes well tomorrow when we sail.
It hasn't been all work though as I did manage to get the three oclock boat ashore yesterday for a bit of a wonder around. Debbie has come down with a horrible cold (she hasn't met any Mexicans so I know it isn't swine flu) so she wasn't up to coming down. I really do miss her and the little one when I am away and it isn't helped this trip as I have put in for an extension (which suits us for later in the year) so rather than thinking I am half way through with two months left I am only a third of the way through with about four months left.
I had quite a nice wonder though, I spent about an hour walking around Waterstones looking at all the books. At first I couldn't find anything that gripped my interest but then when I was leaving I saw a biography of Stalin's early years which I thought could be interesting so I came away with a book in the end. No doubt it will get me in trouble though as I have a pile of about 20 books on my 'to read' pile at home and no bookshelf space left anywhere. I think next time I am home I will have a look around and see if I can find anywhere to build a bookshelf. Well after the bookshop I met up with the rest of the bridge team and we had an impromptu BBQ on the Hoe over looking the sound which was very pleasant other than the view of the ship in the background.
Well the OST proper starts tomorrow as we sail for our first sea week. We have all worked hard getting things ready but I know they will always find something to pick us up for, which can be demoralising. You can't fight the white as they say, so we will just grin and bear it for the next few weeks.
Hopefully I will get to see Debbie next weekend, I know I am going to have lots of work to do but hopefully I will be able to keep my head above water enough to take a few hours off Saturday afternoon.
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